Naturists And Alcohol – This Is A Non-Problem Surely?

I haven’t been keeping up with all the news from Clover Spa lately but I finally got a chance to read up on its new alcohol licence in The Telegraph‘s travel section today.

I am stunned that there was opposition to the licence application and disappointed that those who opposed it assumed that alcohol and naked equaled what basically amounted to swingers parties. As The Telegraph wrote:

‘This is the scene feared by a group of local Conservative councillors and residents who opposed the liquor licence just awarded to the Clover Spa & Hotel. Appealing to Birmingham City Council, they said that permitting the sale of drinks could lead to “a rise ‘in inappropriate behaviour and displays of flesh” at the hotel…’

Frankly, I find this insulting. Once again, it’s another example of everyone assuming that naturists are predators who are just there for sex and frolicking with as many anonymous partners as they can find.

The article (which seems to me to be firmly on the side of the naturist message) highlighted the case of the Kestrel Hydro Naturist Spa in Surrey which was recently closed down after it was found to be operating as an adult private members’ club, complete with a dungeon.

British Naturism made a valid point by condemning the venue, saying there are “far too many adult clubs masquerading behind the respectable image of naturism”. But it is clear to everyone that these are NOT genuine naturist clubs. Latching on to the naturist word simply because people are naked does not make it naturism and it does not hide the adult nature of these places.

Well done to the Clover Spa and Hotel for winning their licence. And two fingers up to the prudes and bureaucracy that can’t accept the people who accept their own bodies on face value.

It makes me want to dance naked round my garden with the bottle of champagne that’s been nurtured in my cupboard for the past month.